The Detroit Lions are heading into the Week 8 bye on a high note as they took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-9, on Monday Night Football. If you’re a Lions fan, you couldn’t ask for a better performance from the team, who will use the week to get healthy and rest before taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.
Before Monday night’s game kicked off, the Lions made multiple roster moves, which included releasing veteran linebacker Ty Summers. Detroit didn’t need Summers to be on the 53-man roster with Zach Cunningham fully healthy from his hamstring injury.
That said, the Lions made sure the veteran didn’t leave the Motor City, as they re-signed him to the practice squad on Tuesday.
Lions Re-Sign Ty Summers to Practice Squad After Releasing Him Before Week 7 Kickoff
Even though the Lions have a bye in Week 8, it made sense for them to bring back Summers, who played 26 total special teams snaps in Weeks 5 and 6. The Lions did not have a linebacker on their practice squad heading into Monday night’s game, putting them potentially in a tough position if someone were to get hurt.
Most recently, Detroit has used its practice squad and 53-man roster spots on the secondary, which isn’t a surprise, as they’ve dealt with a handful of injuries at cornerback. That said, now with Summers in the fold, the Lions could call him up from the practice squad on gamedays if they need another linebacker.
The Lions are very familiar with the veteran defender and what he brings to the table as a core special teams player. Originally, Detroit had the 29-year-old Summers with them last summer in the preseason after the Jacksonville Jaguars cut him.
The 29-year-old linebacker played well in two preseason games with the Lions, as he posted 12 total tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hit. However, it wasn’t good enough to keep him on the 53-man roster, as the Lions cut ties at the end of the preseason.
While things did not work out for Summers in his first stint with the Lions last year, it's clear he made a good and memorable impression on the coaching staff and front office, leading to his return in 2025.